Back by popular demand, the improvisation comedy show Whose Line Is it Anyway? will run from Wednesday to Saturday at the Madinat Theatre in Dubai. Ahead of the opening night we caught up with British funnyman and Comedy Store stalwart Stephen Frost, who revealed that Joe Rooney, of Father Ted fame, will also be treading the boards.
What can Dubai audiences expect from the show this season?
If they’ve seen the TV show, it will be even better than that. We always try to bring someone new out with us every time we’re in Dubai and previously we’ve had Phil Jupitus join us. This time we have a special guest in Joe Rooney, the Irish comedian. We’ve worked with him before and he adds a different dynamic to the line-up. Apart from that it’s the usual line-up of me, Steve Steen, Andy Smart and Ian Coppinger.
How do audiences differ from Gulf state to state?
As far as I’m concerned, they’re all marvellous. They buy tickets, they turn up and they laugh, which is what we want. We always like performing in Dubai because the Madinat Theatre is such a great venue. It’s a great space, a lovely theatre.
Have you ever been stumped by an audience member’s improvisation suggestion?
The answer is “no” because we’ve been doing this show for a very long time all over the world. We’ve just come from Singapore and when we get back to the United Kingdom, we’ll go over to Ireland to do the Kilkenny Festival before a run in the West End. It’s our job not to get stumped. And the thing is, there are always five of us on stage. So if one of us can’t think of something there will be someone else who always does. We have each other’s back.
In terms of language or material that might be culturally sensitive in the UAE, do you feel the need to self-censor?
No, we don’t, because all the suggestions are from the audience. They basically write the show for us. Whatever they come up with, that’s what we’ll make the sketch about. That said, we are, of course, aware of what’s going on and we never want to put our foot in it. It’s as simple as that.
What do you say to doubters who think you must do some preparation in advance of the live performance?
No, there’s no way we could. We literally walk on stage and ask the audience for a situation, location or profession and take it from there. We also wouldn’t want to rehearse because we hate each other’s guts really. We never talk to each other if we’re not on stage [laughs].
What’s your favourite part of the show?
I have two favourites; the interval and the end [laughs]. OK, there’s one part at the end called a five-way-dub. It’s where we all do each other’s voices and it really messes your brain up. I move my mouth and someone else does my voice so it gets very, very complicated. It’s like a psychological exercise. We always come offstage with headaches but still laughing.
As a seasoned actor, is it nerve-racking to perform without a script?
It’s really weird because we’re actors who all regularly do plays and have parts on television et cetera. When you have to learn a script then go on stage and make it work, that’s when you get nervous. But because we’ve got nothing to learn or to remember with this show, the nerves don’t really come into it.
Who would you next like to make a guest appearance in your line-up?
There's a performer from the US version of Whose Line Is it Anyway? called Greg Proops. He sometimes comes to the UK, I think he'll be there in June and we'll get him to do one of the shows. He's always amazing; a brilliant stand-up and such a nice guy. He's one of the best improvisers I've ever worked with and I can't wait for us to team up again.
• Whose Line is it Anyway? is at Jumeirah's Madinat Theatre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8pm and on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets range from Dh180-Dh200 and are available from the theatre box office in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah or online at www.madinattheatre.com
rduane@thenational.ae
